28 years

I took my cake at the Burnaby Men’s Group last night..  George had cataracts surgery so couldn’t make it. Marty graciously agreed to give me my cake and medallion instead. It’s all a huge honor to me.  I really admire George and Marty.  Marty kindly referred to my being a respected doctor and spoke to that moment when I sought help as we all must do. I was reminded of the sign at the Toronto IDAA , ‘we are not alone’.  It was only months before I’d thought myself outside the love of God which is arrogance of a special kind.

Now thanks to this program I’ve known Hank, Art, Archie, Bernie, Terry, Dave, Graham, Don, George and a whole group of intelligent beautiful women and friends. It was fun, then fun and trouble and finally just trouble. Only looking back could I see how the disease permeated my life contributing to the choices of work and wives and friends.  There was such disorder and chaos back then ,  Yes I sought to know God and serve but in my recreational binges like a soldier on leave I was the ultimate narcissistic hedonist.  This progressed to dominate my life till one day I stopped.  

We joke and say you can get off the elevator anywhere. You don’t have to go to the sub basement.  Graham said, some people run with the cheetahs and some people rune with the turkeys. I’d certainly run with the turkeys. I had low friends in low and high places..  And then I was out 

I’m glad I survived the treatment. I’m glad I remained in medicine.  I’m very grateful for the journey that took off and contained after I cleaned up the wreckage of my past.  How hard to realize the ‘promises’ came true when I had thought they were beyond mine,  Luke 15.  And that great song I was lost and now I’m found.  

ODAAT

Now another year is past.

I’m very thankful.  Dean said I was inspiring and Neil was a delight. Mario and Jack and Tom and so many others were there sharing and smiling.  It was so good to be apart of.  I really liked Manny.  We’d shared this journey together taking our cakes at different years listening to each others stories. I liked especially that he said he was working on doing nothing. Turning our will and our lives over to God. Walking upright and hoping to soar on eagles angel wings rather than crawling on our bellies.  The caterpillar butterfly transformation, 

The realization that we are together Where two or more are gathered together there too am I.  

Thank you God.  Thank you for my sobriety.  Now this next week I’ll be at the WDIR meeting on line and the International AA meeting and then the Spokane IDAA meeting.  Such good to look forward too.

I succeeded this morning in getting Madigan to have his worm medicine by giving him half a bin of Hagen Daz Vanilla Ice Cream to entice him to stop spitting them out.  Thank you Jesus  Agreat start to the day!